Evanston impresses national arts chief
BY BOB SEIDENBERG bseidenberg@pioneerlocal.com January 20, 2012 6:24PM
Evanston, 01/19/12 Rocco Landesman (left), National Endowment for the Arts chairman, jokes with Evanston 9th ward alderman Coleen Burrus during a walking tour starting at the Varsity Theatre in downtown Evanston Jan. 19. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:16AM
National Endowment of the Arts chief Rocco Landesman came away impressed after taking a chilly tour of Evanston’s downtown Thursday and hearing officials’ plans to use a grant from his agency as a catalyst in creating a downtown arts district.
“This is not Baltimore, this is not a seriously distressed neighborhood,” said Landesman, when pressed for an appraisal after the walking tour.
The city was in good position to capitalize on the $50,000 and realize its vision, he said, adding that he might not be with the NEA when the goal is reached.
Landesman was in the area, visiting Evanston and Chicago, examining their plans to use grants recently awarded by the federal agency.
Evanston was one of 51 communities in 34 states to be awarded an Our Town grant. Officials plan to use the funds for an architectural study and financial plan examining the feasibility of creating a performing arts district downtown.
Vital to economy
The city thanks Landesman and the agency for his support, said Alderman Coleen Burrus, 9th Ward, pinch hitting for Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl who was away at a conference.
“The arts in Evanston are a joyful expression of the multiple talents of our entire community and a vital part of our economy,” Burrus said. “We are fortunate to be home to a wide spectrum of high quality theater, including Piven Theatre, Next Theatre and Light Opera Works as well as smaller theaters such as Mudlark, which produces meaningful, insightful theater,” she told him.
Burrus also stressed that officials’ focus wasn’t limited to downtown, but that outlying business districts were important, too.
Stephen Griffin, the city’s director of Community and Economic Development, told Landesman staff has identified arts as a targeted industry key to Evanston’s future economic development. Arts can provide key leverage “for making things happen,’’ he said.
Previous efforts
Carolyn Dellutri, executive director for downtownevanston.org, the downtown marketing group, sketched officials’ previous efforts to highlight arts, including the Art Under Glass program that used vacant spaces downtown to highlight local artists’ works.
Dennis Marino, manager of the city’s planning and zoning divisions, took a lead role, providing the commentary as Landesman, along with other arts leaders, made their brisk walk around downtown.
The group stopped in front of the Gap store, which occupies the ground space below the Varsity Theater, once one of the Chicago area’s premier movie houses.
Officials are examining the 1,800-space theater, shuttered since the 1980s, as well as a lot just north of the Woman’s Club of Evanston, as possible locations for a performing arts center.
“Great, great, beautiful,” said Landesman, a one-time Broadway producer, noting the large capacity of the building.
Support from NU
At a spot closer to the university, Marino talked about Northwestern University’s support for the city’s efforts.
Again, Landesman was impressed.
“I see many cities where there is no relationship,” he said.
With the grant, officials plan to use the first phase to determine all the sites downtown that are the most feasible for live performance venues, including existing buildings as well as vacant sites.
From that study, they plan to select four sites for further study. A consultant would then conduct architectural studies of the selected sites, judging which would best house performance venues.
Eventually, officials say the concept will lead to a preferred development scenario.
Landesman said he wasn’t sure he would still be NEA chief when the city finally realizes its vision, but would like to return to the area — preferably at a warmer time of year.
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